Coin freed holder or stand for cycles



No. 620,36I. Patented Feb. 28, |899.

A. C. RICE. CUIN FREED HULDER 0R STAND FOR CYCLES.

(Application tiled Har, 16, 189B.) I 3 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Modeln) fh Ng Ory@ 0 o |lf, v0 la a Hrll. Ja ma r :Q vwkfwym 5 y Q a 10\ e No. 620,36I. Patented Feb. 28, |899.

A. C. RICE. f COIN FBEED HOLDER 0R STAND FCR CYCLES.

(Application filed Mar. 18, 1898,)

3 Sheets-Sheet 24.

(H0 Model.)

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No. 620,36l.

. Patented Feb. 28, |899. A. C.l RICE. Y COIN FREED HULDEB 0R STAND FDR CYCLES.

(Application led Mat. 16, 189B.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

\ l l l l UNrTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED CHARLES RICE, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

COIN-FREED HOLDER OR STAND FOR CYCLES.

SPEo'IFI'oATroN forming part of Letters Patent No. 620,361, dated February 2s, 1899.

Application filed March 16, 1898. Serial No. 674,031. (No model.) I

vention being the use, in'conj unction with theholder or stand, of a slotted or perforated ticket or plate for unlocking the releasingV mechanism.

To render my invention readily understood, I will describe it fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a side elevation, partly in section; Fig. 2, a front elevation, also partly in section; and Fig. 3 is a sectional plan taken l Figs. 4 and 5 are on the line A B of Fig. 2. a plan and side elevation, respectively, of a detail. like that is used in connection with this holder or stand.

In all the iigures the same letters of refered loose and at slight distances apart on an ence indicate like parts.

For the purpose of my invention I arrange in a box or casing ct mechanism for locking and unlocking a sliding bar, block, or plate b, which normally projects through the front of said box and carries hooks or claws,to which the cycle is to be secured. The upper front part of this box is provided with a door ct',

by raising which access is obtained to the said mechanism. A slot d2 at any convenient part=say in the top of the boxserves for the l introduction of the/coin for unlocking this door. The coins on being introduced bring;

about the unlocking of the door and fall into a compartment a3 at the bottom of the box, from which they are removed from time to time, as desired, through a door CL4, ordinarily kept fastened by a lock a5 or by any other means. The door a on being closed is secured by a pivoted catch c, the rear end of which carries a pan or plate c (or a bucket) for the reception of the operating-coin. Said catch pivots about an axis c2, journaled in a bracket c3, l

ixed to one side of the box or casing a, and

Fig. 6 shows one form of ticket or the I this axis carries at one of its ends an arm c, the purpose of which is hereinafter described.

The box et is secured in any convenient manner to a Wall, post, or other object. The slidingbar or block b passes through an aperture a* in the front of the box and has pivotally attached to its outer end by pins d d a pair of hooks or claws o b2, designed to grip and retain any suitable part of the cycle-as, for instance, its head or one of `its Wheelsand' prevent it being removed by any one not supplied with a proper ticket or plate. The inner or pivoted portions of the claws b b2 follow the sliding bar b when this latter re- 'tires into the aperture ctx and lon coming into contact with the sides of the aperture cause such claws to close automatically, as will be readily understood on inspection of Fig. 3. The sliding bar has at its rear a heel or projection b3, by which it is locked, but when released by the locking mechanism is shot outward by a spring b4 and allows the claws to be opened, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3.

Themechanism which I iind it advantageous to employ for locking the sliding bar in its rearward position is arranged above the same in a framing e, and consists of a number of rocking levers f-say eight-mount axis f', secured in the sides of the framing e. The ends of these rocking levers terminate at a suitable angle, the rear ends being higher than the front ends, and between these ends an inclined rod f2 is firmly fixed. On each of the rods f2 is threaded a connecting-rod g, adapted to travel along them. When these rods g are moved into their rearward position,

' they depress the rockin g levers f and so bring them into engagement with the heel b3 on the sliding bar t), while when in their forward position they hold the rocking levers horizontally and out of engagement with the sliding bar. Each connecting-rod g is pivoted at its upper end by a pin to a lever h, and said pins are arranged in a vertical line above the axis f. These connecting-rods can be moved one by one from the front to the rear of the rods f2 by means of setting-levers t', mounted loose on a rod t', the ends of which are secured in the sides of the framing e. The vertical arm Z2 of each setting-lever bears against its corresponding connecting-rod, and it is obvious IOO Y that when the longer arm Z is depressed it will push its connecting-rod toward the rear, so locking the sliding bar b. The connectingrods cannot be returned from the rearward tothe forward position by any extraneous means, but only by the action of the sliding bar at the moment that it is shot forward when the mechanism is unlocked. This is efe fected by means of a cross-bar j, held in a suitable position behind the connecting-rods by two arms j', fixed to the sides of the sliding bar b.

The sliding bar is guided between the sides of the framing e and is kept in contact with a base or bridge plate a6 by means of a guideroller 7c, mounted on a rod k', secured to said framing by nuts k2, and said guide-roller acts at the same time as a stop to limit the extent of travel of the sliding bar. This latter is further arranged to prevent the door-catch being operated by the introduction of a coin or otherwise after the cycle has been secured in the gripping-claws, and-to this end it is provided with a pin al, projecting from the side nearest the door-catch c and passing through the framing e, so preventing passage to the arm c4, hereinbefore mentioned, and retaining it while the sliding bar b is in its rearward position.

The levers 71, rock loosely on an axis h', and` their forward ends are pivotally connected to spring-,controlled keys or pushers Z, the upper portions of which pass through an aperture in the top of the box a. These keys are guided near their lower ends in a perforated plate m, fixed to the box, and are kept in their raised position by coiled springs n, arranged between the plate m and collars Z, formed on or secured to the stem of the keys. The upper ends Z2 of said keys project into a hole pl, formed in a spring-controlled depressible block or plunger p, and terminate close to and below a horizontal slit p' in said plunger. This latter is normally kept raised by any suitable means-such, forin stance, as two longitudinally-arranged springs q-and is guided and retained by moldings or beadings fr, xed to the outside of the box a. The hole pf, into which the ends Z2 of the keys project, is of a depth equal to the distance of the stroke of the plunger, so that this latter may be depressed without actuating the keys.

The slit p' serves for the insertion ofthe ticket or metal plate (which is supplied to the user of the apparatus) and is so formed as to insure the ticket or plate being inserted in the proper position. The construction of the stand or holder having been described indetail, I will now explain the working. The predetermined coin on being dropped through the slot a? falls down a double chute a7 as onto the pan (or bucket) of the pivoted catch c, thereby causing the front end of this latter to rise until it strikes against a stop a9 on the door a. This prevents the coin being shot at once into the compartment a3 and the catch refastening the door until the operator has had time to raise the door and set the locking mechanism. On now opening the door by pulling the handle am the stop a9 releases the catch and allows it to rise farther up until the coin falls off, and then permits the catch to return to its initial or horizontal position, this being effected by fthe weight of its front arm exceeding that of its rear arm. To insure the catch being in the proper position for rengaging the door-staple a, its nose when descending is arrested by the framing e; but any other suitable stop may be used for this purpose. The door being now open, any two or more of the setting-levers t' (which are all marked with any suitable signs, numerals, or letters) can be depressed, while leaving the remaining ones undisturbed. Thus with eight levers, as shown in the drawings, avery large variety ofvcombinations for locking the sliding bar, andd with it the claws, can be produced. The part of the cycle to be gripped by the claws is nciw placed against the outermost end or head of the sliding bar, which is then pushed inward, so closing the claws, and the sliding bar is) then retained in position by the rocking levers f, as shown in Fig. l. The operator is supplied with a perforated or slotted ticket or plate to enable him on his return to operate the mechanism and release the cycle, it being of course necessary for him to have previously set the levers tin accordance with such ticket. Thus, for instance, supposing the setting-levers z' to be marked with consecutive numerals from l to 8 and a IOO ticket or plate also to be marked in the same such perforations or slots to coincide in size l and position with the keys Z, it will 'then be necessary for the operator to depress all the setting-levers marked with the odd numbers 1, 3, 5, and 7. To release the machine, he inserts the ticket or plate in the proper position into the slit p of the key-actuating plunger p and then depresses this latter by hand, so causing the imperforate parts to press down the keys marked with the odd numbers l 3 5 7, While theperforations marked 2, 4, 6, and 8 in such ticket or plate will slip over the keys bearin g the even numbers and leave them undisturbed. By thus depressing these keysZ the rear of the corresponding levers f will be lifted by the connecting-rods g, (in connection with the levers L,) and the spring b4 will then act to push the sliding bar forward and so enable 4the cycle to be removed from the claws. On the forward movement of the sliding bar Z) the rod j, carried between the arms j', restores the connecting-rods g to their initial position near the front end of the levers f, and the apparatus is then ready to receive another cycle. The next user may be supplied with a ticket or plate bearing a different combination of perforations or slots IIO in cases where the first user may have retained his ticket.

Having described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patentl. In a coin-controlled mechanism, a door retained by said coin-operated mechanism, a sliding bar for engaging and holding a cycle, means operated from the interior of the apparatus for locking said sliding bar in its inward position, and means for releasing said cycle-holding bar from the exterior through the intervention of a slotted or perforated ticket or plate, substantially as set forth.

2. In a coin-controlled mechanism having a locking-catch, a door secured by the catch, a sliding bar having pivoted claws or hooks to engage and hold the cycle and a heel or projection, a locking mechanism'to engage the heel of the cycle-holding bar and means for releasing the same, subst..-ntially as set forth.

3. In a coin-controlled mechanism having a locking-catch, a door held by the said catch, a lever-arm fixed to the axis ofthe catch, a sliding cycle-holding bar and means connected therewith for retaining the lever-arm to render the coin-controlled' mechanism temporarily inoperative, substantially as set forth.

4. In a coin-controlled mechanism having a locking-catch, a door held by the catch, a locking mechanism, a sliding cycle-holding bar having pivoted claws or hooks at its outer end and a heel or projection at its inner end to be engaged by the locking mechanism, and a spring for advancing said sliding bar when releasing the cycle, substantially as set forth.

5. In a coin-controlled mechanism having a locking-catch and a door held by the catch, a sliding cycle-holding bar having pivoted claws or hooks, and a heel or projection, a locking mechanism engaging the same, an internally-placed spring for forcing the sliding barforward,and a guide-roller mounted above it and serving at the same time as a stop when engaged by said heel to arrest the forward movement of the bar, substantially as set forth.

6. In a coin-controlled mechanism, means for rendering the same inoperative, a springactuated sliding bar and pivoted claws or hooks at the outer end of the same moving through an aperture in the case whereby said claws on coming into contact therewith are automatically closed, substantially as set forth.

7. In a coin-con trolled mechanism substantially as described, means for rendering the same inoperative while the cycle is secured, a spring-actuated sliding bar and pivoted claws or hooks at the front and aheel or projection at the rear and locking-levers to engage said hecl and secure the sliding bar in its inward position and means for actuating the locking-levers, substantially as set forth.

8. In a coin-controlled mechanism substantially as herein described, means for rendering the same inoperative While the cycle is secured, a spring-actuated sliding bar having a heel or projection, rocking levers mounted on an axis and each having an inclined rod and a connecting-rod engaging the inclined' rod and means for suspending the connecting-rod from above and for actuating the same,- whereby the rocking levers are either locked or released, substantially as set forth.

9. In a coin-controlled mechanism substantially as described, means for rendering the same inoperative while the cycle is secured, a spring-actuated sliding bar, rocking levers to engage and lck the sliding bar, suspended connecting-rods for moving the rocking levers and setting-levers for moving said connecting-rods and rocking levers into their locking position, substantially asset forth.

10. In a coin-controlled mechanism substantially as described, means for rendering the same inoperative while the cycle is se- ICO pivoted claws or hooks and a heel or projection, rocking levers for engaging said heel and locking this sliding bar and pivoted connecting-rods connected to the rocking levers, and means for actuating the con necting-rods, substantially as set forth.

'12. In a coin -controlled mechanism sub stantially as described, means for rendering the same inoperative while the cycle is secured, a spring-actuated sliding bar having claws or hooks and a heel or projection, rocking levers for engaging said heel and locking this sliding bar and connecting-rods for actuating the rocking levers, and operating-levers each furnished with a key for releasing the aforesaid rocking levers, substantially as se forth.

13. In a coin-controlled mechanism, means for rendering the same inoperative while the cycle is secured, a spring-actuated sliding bar, rocking levers, connecting-rods and setting-levers for actuating the same and sliding rods, operating-levers and depressible keys for releasing'the rocking levers and a spring-controlled plunger receiving the upper ends of the keys, substantially as set forth.

14. In a coin-controlled mechanism substantially as described, means for rendering the same inoperative while the cycle is secured, a spring-actuated sliding bar, means for locking said sliding bar and means including operating-keys and a spring-controlled IOS IIO

plunger having a slit for the insertion of a ticket or plate and into which the operatingkeys enter for releasing such locking mechanism, substantially as set forth.

15. In a coin-controlled mechanism, means for rendering the same inoperative While the cycle is secured, a sliding cycle-holding bar having hooks at the forward end and a heel at the rear end and a spring for actuating the same in one direction, rocking levers to engage the heel and lock said bar and rods connected thereto, setting-levers for moving said rods and rocking levers in one direction, operatin g-levers and depressible keys connected to said rods and a spring-returned plunger having a slit to receive a perforated plate or ticket adapted to engage the keys for operating said parts and releasing such locking devices and a cross-bar and connection therefrom to the cycle-holding bar for returning the parts to their normal position with the release of the cycle, substantially as and for the purposes set forth. l 16. In a coin-controlled mechanism substantially as described, having a rocking catch, a casing formed with separate compartments for the coin and the coin-controlled mechanism, the sliding bar and mechanism for locking the same, and setting-levers for the locking mechanism, and a door retained by the said catch for closing the one of the compartments, substantially as set forth.

17. In a coin-controlled mechanism, means for rendering the same inoperative While the cycle is secured, va spring-actuated sliding bar having claws for gripping a cycle, mechanism for locking said sliding bar, setting-levers for actuating the locking mechanism, a door which normally prevents access to the settinglevers and having a staple and a stop on the inner side for engagement by the catch of the coin mechanism, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of tWo subscribing Witnesses.

ALFRED CHARLES RICE.

Witnesses:

GEORGE ERNEST MINTERN, W. J. SKERTEN. 

